Animal transport:
Commission adopts proposal to improve conditions for the
long distance transportation of animals

The European Commission has today adopted a proposal
setting out new rules for the long distance transport
of horses, cattle, goats, sheep and pigs. The proposal
introduces science-based standards for ventilation,
temperature and humidity control in lorries carrying
livestock on journeys longer than eight hours. Lorries
must also be equipped with a monitoring and warning
system recording humidity and temperature. The new
rules are based on scientific advice and on a
Commission report of last year identifying health and
welfare problems during long distance transport.

"I am pleased that we are now moving
forward to make concrete improvements in the health and
welfare of animals transported over long distances"
, David Byrne
, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection
said. "Long-distance transport should be the exception
rather than the rule. When it is necessary, it must take
place under conditions that do not endanger the animals or
cause unnecessary suffering. I want it to be absolutely
clear that we are taking the problems identified with
animal transport very seriously, and that we will do
everything that is within our competence to address them.
Today's proposal is one more step in that
direction".

The new rules are based on the advice of
the Scientific Committee for Animal Health and Animal
Welfare. The Committee concluded that thermal stress is one
of the major health and welfare problems of animals during
transport. The Committee defined the range of temperature
and humidity that is within acceptable limits for the
transportation of different types of animals. The
scientists also recommended that vehicles should have a
monitoring and warning system recording temperature and
humidity so that remedial action can be taken when
necessary.

The costs of the new rules, estimated to
be between 3 and 5 % of the total cost of the lorry, have
to be weighed against the benefits, both in terms of animal
welfare and in economic terms. Improved ventilation reduces
mortality during travel and the animals arrive at their
destination in a healthier condition.

Today's proposal aims to upgrade
existing Community rules on the protection of animals
during transport. The current legislation already requires
that transport of all animals be undertaken only by
officially authorised transport companies, and must respect
maximum loading densities and maximum travel times.
Transports of animals over 8 hours are conditional upon the
authorisation of a route plan, the use of upgraded
vehicles, and the respect of resting time at approved
staging points for feeding, watering etc.

The proposal will be submitted to the
Council for adoption. The European Parliament will be
consulted on the Commission's proposal. Once adopted by the
Council, new vehicles will have to be equipped according to
the new standards from the first of January next year.
Older vehicles will have to meet the new standards no later
than 31 December 2003